Justice has its anger, my lord Bishop, and the wrath of justice is an element of progress. Whatever else may be said of it, the French Revolution was the greatest step forward by mankind since the coming of Christ. It was unfinished, I agree, but still it was sublime. It released the untapped springs of society; it softened hearts, appeased, tranquilized, enlightened, and set flowing through the world the tides of civilization. It was good. The French Revolution was the anointing of humanity.

What is done is but little by the side of what remains to be done. To destroy is the task: to build is the work. Progress demolishes with the left hadn; it is with the right hand that it builds. The left hand of Progress is called Force; the right hand is called Mind. Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo

Source: The works of Victor Hugo, : poems novels stories of crime, dramas and essays on humanity. 1928